Government today approved continuation of the centrally sponsored scheme for 'Ayush' hospitals and dispensaries for supporting alternative systems of medicines at a cost of Rs 650 crore to bring these to the mainstream.
The basic objective of the scheme is to encourage the opening of general and specialised Ayush treatment centers in allopathic hospitals to integrate such health services with mainstream health care in the country and provide assistance to state governments for procurement and supply of essential drugs to Ayush hospitals.
The scheme envisages provisions of preventive, promotive and curative healthcare covering Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, an official spokesperson said after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which approved the scheme.
Under the scheme, grants-in-aid will be provided to the states and Union Territories for establishment of outdoor treatment centre in Primary health centres, setting up of Ayush wings in district hospitals and upgradation of Ayush hospitals and dispensaries.
